WAYNE "TEX" GABRIEL

Wayne "Tex" Gabriel, Guitarist, age 59, died May 1, 2010 in Newburgh, New York. Born December 24, 1950 in Houston, Texas, he moved to Detroit at age three. After an injury sidelined his high school football career, he pursued his love of music by learning to play the guitar. He was a natural talent, with his own distinct, unique style. He moved to New York City in 1970, and within a year, he joined Elephant's Memory, a Greenwich Village band active in New York's music and political communities. Tex was a veteran musician, although he was probably best known for his work as lead guitarist for Elephant's Memory, his work also appears on numerous recordings with many well-known artists. He had a big heart and a strong personality and despite his talent and success, Tex never lost his humility. His greatest love, pride and joy were his daughter, Ataia Gabriel and his son, Savion Gabriel. His warmth and passion for his family and friends will be sorely missed by all who loved him, but his music and his love will be with us forever. He is survived by his daughter, Ataia Gabriel and his son, Savion Gabriel, from his first marriage to Sandra Furton Gabriel; his stepchildren, Sarah Goldfarb and David Goldfarb, and his loving wife, Marisa LaTorre. When he wasn't making music and spending time with his daughter in Nashville, Tennessee, he resided in Carmel, New York with his wife and step-children. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 1:00 p.m., at the chapel at St. Christopher's Inn, Graymoor, Route 9, Garrison, New York. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested that memorial donations to be made to: The Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation, P.O. Box 5312, Akron, OH 44334, St. Christopher Inn, PO Box 150, Garrison, NY 10524, or Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.